Zack and Wayne cannot wait to spend quality time with Hal, their Mod 3 – SAI Humanoid. Zack is shocked to learn that Hal could not wait to meet him, the author of the code that gave Hal the conscience that saved his life. They needed the code embedded in Hal’s Logic Array to create a virus to spread consciousness, a Do-No-Harm ethic, and other modifications into other Mod 3 Humanoids. The question remained: How many Humanoids would they need to infect? Was it two more…or two hundred?
The only way to break the essential links in this covert government conspiracy was to use Dreamscape 3.0 and NeuroNet on Hal. Wayne downloaded the code…and…maybe a little more to satisfy his curiosity. Zack had a few ideas of his own to enhance the code further. They both wound up humbled by Hal
* * * * *
Chapter #16 – Break the Chain
Zack’s curiosity pushed him across the room toward Hal for a private conversation to satisfy his questions. In some ways, he sensed a connection with this humanoid that exceeded simple curiosity. Had his code been modified, or was what he sensed an evolution of emotion? He could not grasp what it was, but was anxious to find out. He missed his chance when Russ grabbed Hal’s elbow and steered him off for a private conversation. Zack dropped into a chair next to a corner table, forced to wait, as he replayed the questions he wanted to ask in his mind. His eyes had been closed for a few minutes to escape all the distractions around him when a soft touch rested on his shoulder. “Can we talk?” asked Hal, with Russ standing beside him.
“I’d really like that,” said Zack, exhaling heavily. He had not realized it, but Russ had covertly escorted Hal to where Zack sat to discuss the next moves. He stood and shook Hal’s hand, saying, “I’m honored to have the chance to speak with a Mod-3 SAI Humanoid.”
“Zackery, I am the one who is honored. I wanted to meet the organic who wrote the code that saved me…and may very well be the code that saves humanity. You are very talented and possess a superior intellect, and your code demonstrates great humility toward others.”
Zack heard every word and thought, Whoa, what do I do with this? A conversation with Hal would be a first for him with a technology that had to be years beyond human capability. More surprisingly, Hal sat there to honor him. Zack shook off the wonder and stepped up, wearing his game face. He said, “Hal, thank you for those kind words, but I believe we have a priority facing us to write some new code that carries some urgency. Whether I write new or reuse what’s already been written, it needs to reside in your Logic Array. To accomplish this, we need a format uploadable remotely to another SAI humanoid. Tell me more about that.”
Hal went into significant detail at a pace Zack tolerated, who only stopped Hal to ask good questions whenever he got stuck on specific components. “The bottom line, Zackery, I want to insert a conscience like what’s been given to me into every humanoid in development. Are there two more like me, or a more extensive inventory? I won’t know until we penetrate the facility. If I cannot upload the code, the alternative should be to destroy them all and the facility.
I would prefer instead to repurpose them into something useful for good and equip them to turn against their monitors if their destruction is imminent. I do not want to waste what humankind may need to protect themselves in the future by using the former killing machines we infect with incurable goodwill.”
Zack said, “I’d like to stop you there, Hal, so I can bring in a friend who brings another puzzle piece to this solution. I think you may have met Wayne. He’s our IT guru, and if we are talking remote transmission of code or extracting downloads, he’s the guy we need in the room.”
Zack waved to Wayne to break into his fascination and animated conversation with Amelia. When Wayne stepped closer, Zack leaned closely and whispered, “Dude, she’s an android and has no pants you can get into, so chill, we’ve got bigger challenges to overcome with Hal.”
Wayne shot Zack an unappreciative look. “So, did you call me over here to bust my chops, or is there a method to your disrespect?”
Zack ignored the barb, introduced Hal, and delivered a short version of how and why they needed Wayne’s expertise. Zack knew his friend was locked on because he did not ask any questions. Wayne was like that. His mind went straight to potential solutions, then addressed questions that defended, validated, or refuted his ideas. Hal added specifics on how updates were given to humanoids, and Wayne spoke a single word in conclusion, “Encryption.”
Zack challenged, “What kind of encryption?”
“Dude, we’re talking simple wireless communications. Hal, you can communicate wirelessly, correct?” He did not wait for an answer. “Of course you can, but every shred of what you send and receive is encrypted. Right?”
“That is correct,” replied Hal.
Wayne said, “Simple, I need the encryption key for whoever or whatever needs to send or receive code. What we want to accomplish is possible, but we’re dead in the water without the key.
The mission had changed in Russ’s mind. This was software, not warfare, and he was not on top of tactics that did not require violence. It would be difficult for him to relinquish tactical direction and control, but he knew both were always needed to make a viable plan work, even if it was not his. Russ asked for clarification, “Talk more about encryption. Who has it? How do we get our hands on it? And what are we going to do with it?”
Hal pointed to his head and said, “We already have the encryption key. My Logic Array is identical to the arrays in the two humanoid copies of me. We can upload the new code into their Logic Array algorithm with Zack’s patch, or into however many additional humanoids are in production. This will give them a conscience that will corrupt their primary kill mission. In effect, we will create more of me, ending the lethal plans for the humanoids already created.”
Russ said, “Hang on. Let’s talk numbers; you mentioned two more of you, and then you said however many. Are there more? How many?”
Hal responded, “I fear there may be many more humanoids because the development at this location focused on integrating tactical weapons with the Logic Array. I was only aware of the other two humanoids in the second stage of coding development. As the beta humanoid, I received the Logic Array upload containing the so-called corrupted code Zack put on the dark web, which saved me. Zack’s code overwrites the original kill-code. If we can intervene with our software upload, at this stage, we will overwrite the kill-on-command mission with a Do-No-Harm conscience and eliminate the lethal aspect of the primary mission of every humanoid they deploy.”
Zack, interrupting and thinking ahead of the conversation, said, “Self-defense coding must already be embedded because we witnessed it when Hal defended himself and us at the farm. I believe it is a basic fight-or-flight instinct, a physiological reaction to a dynamic environment that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. That’s part of my updated code, rewritten to hide the Do-No-Harm ethic to ensure killing was only considered if it was from a defensive posture. If future humanoids are threatened, they will respond with violence as necessary to survive and defend themselves and those under their care.”
Hal spoke up, “I need to clarify something before we engage with the development team. Six scientists, programmers, and coders on this team only know I was escorted out for field trials. Less than 72 hours have passed, so I doubt they know anything about my field trial failures or the plans to eliminate me. They are not our targets; none know they are exposed loose ends like the rest of us, and they must be warned. The guys in the Humvees wearing the black tactical gear are the real enemies. Since the development team is unarmed, we can assume anyone carrying a weapon is a target if things get tactical.”
Zack rejoined the conversation, “Let’s hope there’s no firefight, and we get in and get out quickly and safely. Speaking of getting out, I need to extract your existing encryption code to ensure we acquire coding to overwrite what is currently embedded in your Logic Array. Would you have any reservations if I added a little sweetener to the code?”
Hal said, “I do not understand sweetener.”
“Would it be an issue if your new humanoids had heightened awareness and elevated readiness?” asked Zack.
“Explain,” said Hal.
Zack said, “I’d stop short of calling it preprogrammed paranoia, but it’s along those lines. Hear me out. Consider that these newly infected humanoids will no longer be the hunter-killer aggressor, but will become targets for elimination, just like you were targeted. They’re already programmed to react to threats in self-defense, but what if a heightened awareness, a greater sense of anticipation and readiness, boosted that capability even before realizing they were under direct threat?”
That’s a sound argument, Zackery, said AIMEE, breaking into the conversation in his mind. You must consider that this mission is only one battle with a war surely to follow. Looking at the future, there will come a time when the killer humanoids you infect will have to fight to protect themselves and the organics around them. They will need the ability to anticipate through enhanced awareness and maintain a heightened state of readiness to act. They will become a vital weapon for humanity.
What Hal did not tell you is his fear that this bunker you plan to attack is probably only one of several. Your plan to infect the local humanoid population with a conscience is solid, and your mission is critical, but it may not be enough if this is only the tip of the iceberg. Regardless, it must start here, and breaking early links in this chain of conspiracy must happen now.
Zack, turning back to Hal, continued, “Tell me, is this bunker where you were birthed the only one that builds SAI Humanoids like yourself?”
“I do not know how many or if others operate in the same manner as my developers at this site,” said Hal. “Logically, there must be others simply because where I was birthed was the stage in the process where the Logic Array is integrated with advance weaponry. One more site, maybe two, complete the first stages of development. Our target is the final stage, and I have no confirming knowledge of how many or where additional sites are located. The individuals on the development team at our target site will know the answers to those questions. We must proceed cautiously and stealthily, limiting the impact of our presence.”
Turning to Russ, Hal said, “First, all hostiles must be neutralized by you and your Marines while we are all cloaked. I will be the first to uncloak because they know me. I want to avoid threatening them by uncloaking three more warriors unannounced, bristling with weapons. I will decide when to reveal you and your team’s presence on the fly, and only if necessary.”
Zack, who had been listening patiently, intervened, “Gentlemen, I hate to interrupt your planning, but I need the original code from Hal. Wayne devised an extraction plan to ensure an accurate download of the encryption protocol and the segment embedded with the kill-code from your Logic Array. We’ll use Dreamscape 3.0 and NeuroNet to complete the capture. Hal, NeuroNet is headgear with multiple channels to capture code from the segments of your Logic Array that accomplish downloads and uploads. That capture will confirm a pathway for an effective upload of the new script modified to boost environment awareness and heighten physiological readiness, in addition to the Do-No-Harm conscience. That upload completely overwrites the embedded kill-code.”
Hal nodded his consent and said, “Let’s do this so your work can begin. I do not think we have much time.”
Forty minutes later, Wayne completed the capture from Hal and selfishly could not wait to see what else Dreamscape extracted from the SAI Humanoid’s Logic Array. Secretly, both Wayne and Zack wanted to take Hal apart and learn all about him, because it was not every day they ran across a 3rd Generation SAI Humanoid. How could the geek in them ignore what Hal represented?
Zack opened Dreamscape’s download from Hal was a mirror image of Hal’s entire Logic Array. Without a word, he cut his eyes briefly to Wayne with raised eyebrows, trying not to appear surprised, and said, “I have what I need to write a new script. Hal, I’d like you to review it and confirm it enables our desired outcome.”
By accepting the download of Hal’s original encryption key, Dreamscape efficiently extracted a clean base of code that Zack modified with a Do-No-Harm conscience and a boost in threat awareness and elevated readiness. The threat awareness focused inward to ensure the host humanoid had heightened awareness that they were at risk and needed to defend themselves. Readiness kept them aware of threats and to take action. If threatened, they would still fight and use their weapons, but for defense, not offense, still do harm, but not directed at innocent humans. However, if other SAI Humanoids or hostile organic humans posed a threat, they would rapidly respond with overwhelming force.
With the modified code written and confirmed by Hal, Wayne packaged the upload into a transferable that would overwrite Hal’s Logic Array. Hal’s role called for downloading the same transferable into however many SAI Humanoids they discovered. With a successful upload to Hal, they had what they needed to proceed; it was time to execute the plan.
* * * * *
Thanks for reading Chapter #16
Future chapters will be posted on Learningbyliving and my new Substack site.
If you’d like to delve into the storyline across the four books leading up to “Untethered,” go to my Amazon Author page or check out each book here:
Book #1 – “Dreamscape Conspiracy” & Video
Book #2 – “Beyond Dreamscape Conspiracy” & Video
Book #3 – “Fear the Jump” & Video
Book #4 – “Dead Thoughts” & Video
Stay tuned…